F ORGO T T E N G E NIUS

Plant Medicines

Chemistry and
Plants
Percy Julian practiced
natural products
chemistry, which is the
process of separating
chemicals from plants,
figuring out their
molecular structure,
and making
them in the
laboratory.

Throughout history, humans have used plants to treat all kinds

of illnesses. Today, about 40 percent of our prescription medicines
come from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds.
Plant-based medicines are everywhere, including the shelves
of our local drugstores.

Throat Lozenges, Muscle

Creams, and Cold and Nasal
Medicines
Derived from: Mint (mentha)

Active ingredient: Menthol. Menthol

is now made synthetically or from

peppermint or other mint oils.
Use: Relieves itching, relaxes muscle

soreness, opens congested sinuses and

upper respiratory tract
Mint can be grown easily in a
garden. The leaves can be used for
tea, salads, and as an herb in foods.

Aspirin
Derived from: Willow (salix)

Quinine (Malaria Drug)

Part of plant used: Bark

Derived from: Cinchona tree (cinchona pubescens)

Active ingredient: Salicin, a

Part used: Bark

compound that breaks down to become

salicylic acid (aspirin). Salicylic acid
(aspirin) is now synthesized.
Use: Alleviates pain, reduces fever

and inflammation (swelling), prevents

heart attacks
More than 80 million aspirin tablets

Active ingredient: Quinine. Quinine and

quinidine are both extracts from cinchona bark.

Both are still used against malaria parasites.
Use: Treatment for malaria
10,000 tons of cinchona bark is harvested
annually to make drugs to treat malaria.

are used each year in North America.

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Parts used: Leaves